Naihanchi Kata Research

Naihanchi Kata is what is taught in our dojo to green belts. Part of Isshinryu Karate it came from the old Shuri-te style of Okinawan Karate (also one of the first kata taught in Shorin Ryu). The vibe I am picking up is that the students do not value it as much as the other Isshinryu Karate kata. "It is the shortest kata. It doesn't have any kicks. It if very difficult."

The Tallahassee Karate Club blog has a very interesting article on Naihanchi Shodan. The video clip of Shinzato Sensei doing Naihanchi Shodan is unreal. Granted this is not the exact same kata but it is the same. Can you say fa jing?

Quoting the blog.

Naihanchi is a deep kata that teaches the student most of the principles they will need to be able to apply in all their other kata. By tucking the koshi and feeling the connection between the waist and the lats, the student can begin to learn to make power without relying on the turning motion inherent in other kata.

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We often practice Naihanchi very slowly, combined with circular hip and arm motions. To the outsider, this may look a little like Tai Chi and not karate. Practicing this way helps the student to analyze each movement in a critical way to understand where the power points occur, how to make a connection between the bottom half and the top half of their body, and how to improve their overall body dynamic. Then, when it is performed fast, with full power, the student can retain this wisdom in their performance and make power in all the right places.

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Sensei Don Bohan has a very informative page on Naihanchi Kata.

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There is a Ryuku Kempo site with a QuickTime video of Naihanchi Shoda. Compare this hard toughguy style to the spiral energy of Shinzato Sensei above. Shinzato Sensei is something special!